Here’s a thought provoking op-ed by Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih.
We have a sense of urgency, but we refuse to give in to panic. While it is important to highlight the progress made, particularly given the extremely pessimistic tone of debate in Washington, we know we must confront many grave challenges. The unrelenting security problem, sectarian polarization, corruption and the inability of the government to deliver services are all threats to the transition. They could prove fatal if not dealt with urgently.
We Iraqis must recognize that it is up to us to resolve our problems. Outsiders cannot deliver for us. The Iraqi leadership must assume responsibility, deal with these challenges and turn the tide. This can be done by Iraqis, but they will undoubtedly need sustained support from the international community and particularly the United States.
The key here is that a member of Iraq’s elected government is stating that Iraq needs sustained support from the United States. Giving up on the mess we’ve made shouldn’t even be one of the options being discussed back at home in my opinion.
We must defend diversity. Those responsible for the violence, the Baathist-jihadist terrorist axis, hate and reject diversity and democracy. They seek supremacy and theocracy.
Despite all the muddle, confusion and rampant violence in Iraq; despite my own personal war weariness, I’m not ready to trade a single secular strongman dictator for 1,000 theocratic tinpot tyrants. Iraqis deserve much better. Iraq as an embattled police state is unsustainable. Iraq as a source of instability and jihadism for the region is intolerable. So what do we do that we are not already doing? How do we educate Iraqis? How do we encourage economic growth that will employ desperate Iraqis? How do we help the government provide basic services on the local level? I don’t have clear answers, and from the ground after a year, it sometimes seems all we are doing is treading water.
On the other hand the Dhi Qar province is scheduled to be turned over to Iraqi control later in the month. Kurdistan just hosted an international expo. Hope exists. Progress exists. They are both often overshadowed by continuing violence, mismanagement and political selfishness on the part of both Iraqi and American officials.